PANAJI
Fr Joseph Cardozo SJ, a Jesuit currently serving as Vice Provincial of the Goa Province and Superior of Loyola Hall in Miramar, has been appointed to assist the Office of Discernment and Apostolic Planning for a Synodal Church at the Jesuit Generalate Curia in Rome, Italy. He will begin his new assignment on September 1.
Fr Joseph said his appointment follows the late Pope Francis’ request to the Society of Jesus to aid the global Church in actualising Synodality after the conclusion of the Synod in Rome. “Fr Arturo Sosa, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, identified the area of ‘Discernment in Common’ as a key contribution that the Jesuits can make to the synodal process,” said Fr Joseph, who traces his roots to Assolna-Goa.
Explaining the concept, Fr Joseph noted that ‘Discernment in Common’ is a process where a group of individuals work together to determine the best course of action in a given situation. "In religious contexts, it is viewed as a way to collectively discover God’s will for the group,” he said.
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES
In his new role, Fr Joseph will collaborate with Fr John Dardis SJ, General Counsellor for Discernment and Apostolic Planning (DPA), and will be part of a core team. The Office of Discernment and Apostolic Planning is launching processes for renewal and transformation in the Church. His responsibilities will include participating in meetings that plan the renewal of Jesuit provinces and regions across the globe, analysing province/region plans and offering feedback, facilitating some workshops conducted by the DPA counsellor, and expanding the Magis Digital platform across South Asian Jesuit provinces.
Additionally, Fr Joseph will support the development and implementation of key performance indicators for the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) and contribute to the October 2025 meeting of Jesuit Superiors General. Fr Joseph will also play a vital role in an international conference in Salamanca-Spain from November 23 to December 3, bringing together 80 experts and serving as a Launchpad for the systematic development of the Jesuit congregation’s approach to the 'Discernment in Common' method.
A key outcome of the meeting will be the formation of teams who will train facilitators in ‘Discernment in Common’ at the regional level, both within the Society of Jesus and in the wider Church.
“The discernment in common project has been envisioned in three phases: Starting (2025), Sharing (2026-2027), and Strengthening (2028+). One can find more information on the venture at: https://discernmentandplanning.org/synodality/
GOAN IDENTITY
Born on July 1, 1973, Fr Joseph completed his SSC from Regina Martyrum High School, Assolna, and HSSC from St Xavier’s HSS, Mapusa.
Fr Joseph Cardozo SJ (third from left) along with his family.
Between 1991 and 1995, he pursued a Diploma in Computer Management, Liturgical Animators Course (Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion) at Old Goa, Catechetical Course (Pastoral Institute, Old Goa), taught Catechism for four years in Ambelim, completed Biblical Theology at Old Goa and graduated in Psychology at St Xavier’s College, Mapusa.
JESUIT LIFE
Fr Joseph joined the Society of Jesus and completed his Novitiate in Belgaum-Karnataka in 1995 and later completed his MA (Philosophy) at the Loyola College in Chennai as well as his M.th degree (Masters in Theology) from the University of Innsbruck–Austria.
He was ordained a deacon at the St James Cathedral in Innsbruck-Austria in 2004. He later served for three months each in the Diaconate Ministry at Rosary Church, Ajra-Maharashtra and at Our Lady of Grace Church, Margao.
He was ordained a priest by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao at Assolna in 2004 and served for three months as Assistant Parish Priest at a Mission Parish in Sangargalli-Karnataka.
He went on to serve as Director of the Pre-Novices at Loyola Hall, Miramar, Director of the Youth Formation Movement, Vocation Promoter of Goa Jesuit Province, Minister & Treasurer of Casa Professa Community, Spiritual Director of the Formators at the Institute of Mater Dei, Old Goa, and assistant to the Parish Priest at St Anthony’s Church, Gadhinglaj–Maharashtra.
In 2012, he completed his M.A in Pastoral Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines, and also served as Director of Pedro Arrupe Institute, in Raia–Goa.
He completed a course in Christian Spirituality from the Boston College, School of Theology and Ministry, at Massachusetts–USA and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Ignatian Spirituality at Jana Deepa Pontifical Institute in Pune-Maharashtra.
He has also served as Superior of Xavier Residence at Porvorim, and Spiritual Director of the Holy Family of Nazareth Congregation, Sancoale.
